Methods:
Prospective interventional series of 150 consecutive patients with uveal melanoma treated at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute between May 2009 and August 2012. The FNAB approach (trans corneal [TCO], trans scleral [TSC], and trans vitreal [TSV] were primarily determined by the location of the tumor. The FNAB was performed using 25 Gauge needle using previously published technique. All aspirated material was flushed into in Cytolyt® solution for ThinPrep® processing. The diagnosis of uveal melanoma was based upon characteristic cellular features. The cytological reporting was divided into 4 conventional categories: 1. Unsatisfactory for interpretation, 2. Negative for melanoma, 3. Atypical cells (not diagnostic or consistent with melanoma) and 4. Positive for melanoma. Patients were evaluated 1-4 weeks postoperatively, then every 3 months for the first year, followed by every 6 months thereafter. Data were analyzed using STATA version 11.

Conclusions:
FNAB for uveal melanoma with 25-gauge needle is a safe procedure that can yield diagnostic samples in more than 90% of cases. Possibility of negative diagnostic FNAB yield should be considered when counseling patients with small tumors.